Hospital Releases Paul -- He's On His Way Home

More than four months after he was nearly killed by a bomb explosion, Paul Jewell was released Friday in good condition from the Shriners Burns Institute in Cincinnati.

His destination and method of transportation were not released by hospital spokeswoman Sandy Shackelford, who said Paul's mother, Sinda Alsept, asked that the information be kept secret. A reliable source, however, said Paul and Alsept will be driven back to Central Florida by Jack Alsept, the mother's first cousin.

Cincinnati is more than 900 miles from Orlando. The Shriners normally fly burn victims and their parents free of charge to and from the hospital. Sinda Alsept has said she does not like to fly.

Victor Clark of the Orlando chapter of the Shriners said a jet would have been available at a moment's notice for Paul, 11, and his mother. Paul suffered second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body when a bomb exploded as he was filling his bicycle tire at a Lockhart Shop & Go air pump on Christmas Day.

He was flown from Orlando Regional Medical Center to Cincinnati on Dec. 27. Two days after he was admitted to the Shriners unit, doctors amputated his right leg just below the knee. The limb was shattered in the fiery blast. He underwent 17 skin-graft operations and came through them like a ''trooper,'' a hospital nurse said. His only setback while at the hospital was a bout with infection, a common problem with the critically burned. He recovered with the help of antibiotics.

When Paul arrives home, he will be visited regularly by a nurse, Shackleford said. Sinda Alsept also has been taught medical techniques to care for Paul's injuries.

The youngster must wear special clothing to protect his burned skin and aid healing. Shackelford said he likely will return to Cincinnati for a routine checkup within ''several weeks.'' Eventually he will undergo plastic surgery to clear up scarring from his skin grafts. His leg will be fitted with an artificial limb as well. He is now confined to a wheelchair.

The Shriners will pay for all of Paul's related medical treatment and transportation costs until he is 21. Paul will live in the Apopka area in a new mobile home purchased for him by donations collected by J.J. Whispers, an Orlando nightclub, and the 7-Eleven convenience store chain.

People from all over the country also donated more than $136,000 to a fund for the health, education and welfare of Paul, who was born Christmas Day. The Orange County Sheriff's Department has no new leads or suspects in their search for the bomber. A sheriff's spokesman said deputies will make routine checks at Paul's home to ensure his safety.